Related skills
talent acquisition vendor management supply chain sourcing operationsAt Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. We are building artificial gravity space stations, allowing long-term stays in space without the adverse effects of zero-gravity.Our initial crewed space habitat will be Haven-1, scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station when it launches into low-Earth orbit in 2026. It is part of our stepping stone approach to continuous human presence in LEO.Our team isall-in, committed to executing our mission safely and on time.If you want to work with the most talented people on Earth furthering space exploration for humanity, come join us.
Vast is looking for a Sourcing Specialist II, reporting to the Director of Supply Chain, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations.
This will be a full-time,exempt position located in our Long Beachlocation.
Responsibilities
- Support end-to-end sourcing activities for assigned commodities/categories, from demand identification through supplier selection and purchase order placement
- Conduct ongoing market research to identify potential suppliers/subcontractors, assess capabilities, and support RFQ/RFP execution
- Assist with source selection, negotiations, and contracting strategies aligned to program, customer, product, and in-service needs
- Own/maintain sourcing documentation, including RFQs/RFPs, bid analyses, supplier records, and purchase orders in ERP systems
- Track supply and demand signals and coordinate with planning/program teams to support schedule alignment and on-time delivery
- Partner with quality, engineering, manufacturing, finance, legal/contracts, and program management to support supplier performance (quality, delivery, cost)
- Support supplier performance management and continuous improvement efforts (QCD), including corrective actions and recovery plans as needed
- Identify cost and lead time opportunities through basic cost analysis, pricing reviews, and value-focused sourcing recommendations
- Operate effectively in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities, high accountability, and cross-functional collaboration across all levels
Minimum Qualifications (Level I)
- 0–2 years of experience in sourcing, procurement, supply chain, or a related role (internships/co-ops acceptable)
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent practical experience)
- Basic understanding of procurement processes (RFQ, PO lifecycle, supplier communication, lead times, Incoterms a plus)
- Strong communication skills (written and verbal) and attention to detail
Minimum Qualifications (Level II)
- 2–4+ years of experience in sourcing/procurement, supply chain, or manufacturing operations
- Experience supporting supplier selection and RFQ/RFP cycles, negotiations, and PO placement
- Exposure to manufacturing and/or aerospace supply chains strongly preferred
Preferred Skills & Experience
- Experience creating/updating RFPs/RFQs, purchase orders (POs), and work orders within an ERP (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, etc.)
- Ability to analyze quotes and build basic cost/price comparisons; familiarity with BOMs is a plus
- Comfortable managing multiple priorities with ambiguous inputs and shifting timelines
- Strong organizational skills and ability to make sound decisions with limited information
- Team-oriented and able to collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, quality, ops, planning, contracts/legal, and finance
- Comfortable working in a high-intensity environment supporting critical mission milestones
Additional Requirements
- Ability to travel up to 20%
- Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends as needed to support critical mission milestones
Pay Range:
- Sourcing Specialist I: $65,000 - $90,000
- Sourcing Specialist II: $ 84,000 - $118,000
$65,000
—$118,000 USD
U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS
The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. This status includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
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